Working as a grief counselor is one that has been created for specific psychological needs for those experiencing loss. It has been found that there are many that move through a crisis or loss without receiving the necessary support or guidance to move through the grieving process. A counselor is trained to look at the psychological implications of loss and to allow those that are in a specific situation to move quickly through the grief, shock and loss that may occur.
There are specific institutions and clinics that are now requiring grief counselors for assistance with patients or those in need. It is expected that the job will grow up by 37% within a 10 year period, which is faster than almost any other field of counseling. Hospitals and clinics are one of the institutions that require assistance, specifically which is specified as a medical social worker. There are also other facilities, such as schools and jails, that are asking for assistance to those experiencing loss. This allows individuals to receive support necessary for the psychological changes that occur during the grieving process. For jails, schools and hospitals, it is becoming a valued service, specifically because of the mental health implications that occur as a result of loss.
The daily job functions with a grief counselor begin with short term therapy sessions. If someone is experiencing loss or a crisis, then the emotional and mental support to move through the grief is available. Insights on the psychological implications and an understanding of mental health is also a part of the job description. It is expected that those working within this field are able to offer empathy and compassion to those that are grieving. The short term therapy sessions are specified because it only focuses on a new loss, grieving process or shock that has recently occurred so one may move through the difficult phases.
You may also be required to work with group therapy sessions and support groups, specifically to assist those in grief. This requires leadership to guide those that are grieving while allowing the group to develop a dynamic of moving through the process together. Chaplains may also require extra support and insight for the psychological needs of grief, loss and crisis. There are many counselors who also add in extra credentials with spiritual and religious implications to offer this support. Many of the hospitals have extended the job description into community outreach programs and awareness of the psychological situations, specifically to assist in the grieving process that many go through.